Ireland lights up in Orange for World Suicide Prevention day #BreakTheCycle

Something very exciting and special is happening on Thursday, September 10th, 2015 for World Suicide Prevention Day. Iconic landmarks and buildings throughout the island of Ireland are lighting up Orange to spread the message “It’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help”. In addition, thousands of people across the 32 counties will turn on a Solus Orange lightbulb in their homes at 9pm on Thursday, September 10th, in unity, to share this positive and universal message. This is part of Cycle Against Suicide’s (www.cycleagainstsuicide.com) new initiative called ‘Events Against Suicide’ where events will take place during Suicide Awareness Week (Monday, September 7th to Sunday, September 13th).

The Cycle Against Suicide Movement is doing this in collaboration with the UNESCO International Year of Light 2015 and Solus. People wearing Orange will meet at central landmarks in each of the cities at 8:45pm (ahead of 9pm when the lightbulbs will be switched on in homes and communities). In Dublin, they are meeting at the Mansion House. In the other cities, people are invited to meet at the City Halls. The Lord Mayors and/or Deputy Lord Mayors of some of the cities will attend. It’s an open invite for everyone.

Kilkenny: Kilkenny Castle, The Town Hall, City Library and County Hall;

Galway: City Hall and Fisheries Tower, The Mayors Private Residence and NUI Galway;

Wicklow: Shillelagh Courthouse

Belfast: Belfast City Hall

Derry-Londonderry: Derry City and Strabane District Council Offices, Ebrington Square, Ulster University – Magee Campus;

Fermanagh: Enniskillen Castle

Tyrone: Strule Arts Centre

More buildings are being confirmed every day as this initiative catches the imagination of communities across the island of Ireland.

Thousands of orange coloured light bulbs, donated by Irish company Solus, are currently making their way into communities throughout the island of Ireland. These will be sold by Cycle Against Suicide volunteers and ambassadors. Contact the Cycle Against Suicide team onevents@cycleagainstsuicide.com to find out where to buy them at €5 for a pack of 2. The funds raised will go towards Cycle Against Suicide’s schools programme (http://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/schools)

In support of lighting up buildings in Orange, organisers are also encouraging people to Go Orange in any way they can (painting front doors orange, wearing an orange hat or wig, etc) on Thursday, September 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day, and to share selfies and pictures on social media using the hashtags #LetsGoOrange and #BreakTheCycle@CASuicide to spread the message “It’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help”. The Facebook page with all the updates is called Let’s Go Orange for World Suicide Prevention Dayhttps://www.facebook.com/letsgoorangeforworldsuicidepreventionday.

Buildings fitted with colour-changing LED lights are being asked to push a button to change it to Orange on Thursday, September 10th and special heat resistant colour filters or gels can be placed over suitable building lights.

In an era where we are all expected to live longer, the GAA, Trinity College Dublin and Irish Life have come together to highlight the secrets to successful ageing through a series of regional seminars.